Autochthonous wine - what is it?

Autochthonous wine is now at the peak of popularity. After all, such a drink, produced in small batches, is always unusual, has a non-standard taste, color and aroma. Connoisseurs are chasing new types of local wines to replenish enoteca collections.

What is autochthonous wine?

Grape varieties, according to the classification, are divided into 3 groups:

• international (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and others) are grown around the world;
• regional (Grenache, Kannonau, Garnach), which also have global distribution;
• local, growing in a limited, sometimes very small area.

If you make wine from such local grapes, you get an autochthonous wine. It used to be called aboriginal. However, for political correctness, the term has been replaced.

Local features of climate and soil affect the growing vine, which leads to the emergence of the original taste of the quality of the made drink.

Autochthonous wines must comply with the following international requirements:

• made exclusively from a particular grape variety;
• comply with organoleptic norms and analytical standards;
• have a natural strength of 9.0-9.5 revolutions.

That is why such wines are an unexpected joy for the connoisseur. After all, they are produced in small batches and only regional small plants.

Italy is considered the world leader in the production of autochthonous wines. Here, about a hundred masters of their craft create almost 500 types of exclusive drinks from 400 local grape varieties. Today, the production of autochthonous wines is a sign of the country's winemaking prestige.

Russian indigenous wines

In total, about 2 thousand grape varieties are cultivated in Russia. Autochthonous grapes are grown primarily in the south of Russia, in such regions as Dagestan, Don, Stavropol Territory and Krasnodar, Crimea. In other regions, indigenous varieties of southern grapes do not take root or produce poor quality crops.

In Crimea, at the state level, the task was set to return international recognition to local wines, and this task is solved by both large factories producing wines with names - world brands, and small private wineries.

Local grape varieties in Crimea: features

When the first planting of grapes appeared on the Crimean land is unknown. Archaeologists find amphorae in which wine was stored, and believe that already in the 7th-5th centuries BC living in the Northern Black Sea region knew a lot about alcoholic beverages.

Crimean winemaking reached an unprecedented peak in the 19th century under Prince Lev Golitsyn, who laid many vineyards and built wineries. They delivered products to the royal table and abroad. It was then that abroad for the first time they started talking about the Crimean wine list.

Crimea is a great place not only for tourists, but also for quality winemaking. And there are reasons for this:

1. The soil. Stony lands contain a lot of calcium, which is necessary for grapes, and they also drain well without causing moisture stagnation.
2. The sun. More than 300 sunny days a year is enough for ripening fruits and a set of sugar.
3. A bit of rain.
4. The difference between day and night temperatures. Tangible differences lead to the perfect balance of acid and sugar.
5. Sugar accumulates quickly due to hot weather for 2-3 months.

About 100 different grape varieties are grown in Crimea. However, autochthonous wine is prepared from only 10 local varieties. Under the native vine only 10% of agricultural territories are occupied.

Crimean grapes for autochthonous wine

Specialists call the following absolutely Crimean grape varieties suitable for the production of excellent quality wine:

1. Kokur is white. It is assumed that the vine was introduced in the XII century. Collected in October. Sugar level is 24%. Unique variety. After all, it is used to produce dessert, and strong, and champagne wines.
2. Cephesia, translated "Theodosian." It is grown at an altitude of 200-250 m above sea level. Ripens late: in October. Sugar - 22%. Because of this, grapes can turn into raisins on a branch.
3. Sarah Pandas. Cleaned up late. Sugar - 27%. Used for dessert wines.
4. Kok Pandas. Ripens at the end of September. Contains 19-23% sugar. Used for blending in the production of dessert wine.
5. Jevat Kara or Black Colonel. Gather at the end of October. It contains sugar 19-20%.
6. Muscat is white. It contains sugar 19-25%. Grown in the foothills of the Bakhchisarai region and on the southern coast of Crimea. It is used for semi-sweet dessert wines.

Drink with the name of Valery Zakharyin

Among the Crimean enterprises producing a variety of wines, the “Zakharyin’s House” stands out with a desire to revive the original native grape varieties and demonstrate the rich possibilities of the Crimean vine. The company is headed by Valery Zakharyin.

On its own vineyards, covering an area of ​​88 hectares, 64 varieties of local vines grow. Indigenous varieties of Sarah Pandas and Kefesiya were planted on a plantation in the Bakhchisarai district.

Specialists of the Zakharyin House carefully monitor the winemaking process at each stage. They provide:

• attentive care of the vine;
• manual grape sorting;
• careful observance of production technology and organoleptic parameters;
• wine aging in special barrels specially made from French oak.

For consultation, the head of the enterprise invited French and German oenologists.

The assortment of “Zakharyin’s House” is represented by the following lines:

1. "Autochthonous wine of Crimea" is unique and is created only from local grape varieties, sold under the geographical name. Kokur Brut drink was awarded a gold medal.
2. “Omega Bay” is also created from Crimean grapes, the collection includes semi-sweet wines.
3. The Bakkal Su collection is named after the terroir where grapes grow. Wines from the collection have been awarded more than once.
4. Under the name “Good Year” white dry autochthonous wines “Riesling”, “Aligote”, “Sauvignon” are produced. Due to the fact that the drinks are aged in barrels, they acquire richness and nobility.
5. Alma Hill`s collection was created in honor of the events of the Crimean War of 1853-1856. The wines “Aligote”, “Cabernet Sauvignon” and “Muscat” were created using proprietary technology.
6. The Zakharyin House collection includes dry white and red wines. Available in limited series, which are stored for up to 10 years.

The autochthonous wine of Crimea from Valery Zakharyin is not an alcoholic product. This is the music of grapes, a fairy tale of mountains and the sea of ​​the Crimean peninsula.

Tasting characteristics of "Cefesia"

The autochthonous wine of Crimea from Valery Zakharyin "Kefesiya" is made from 100% Kefesiya grapes. The alcohol content is 11.5%, which is the norm for dry red wine.

The classic color of dry red is ruby ​​with raspberry or pomegranate tints. Transparent.

Scent

The wine contains 3 waves of aroma that open gradually. The first occurs when opening the bottle. Contains a berry smell, with an outstanding aroma of cherries and spices. The second aroma, which appears after the wine is poured into the glass, contains notes of prunes, mulberries, milk cream and spices. Finally, there is the smell of skin, oak bark and a light shade of gouache paints, which proves the ripeness of the grapes.

Taste

The wine gives a rich berry-spicy taste with a hint of honeysuckle. Kefesia’s tannins are soft, medium acidity, pleasant aftertaste velvety and long. The wine is friendly, light.

The design of a bottle of Kefesia wine emphasizes the importance of the drink.

Wine "Sary Pandas"

The autochthonous wine of Valery Zakharyin “Sary Pandas” is made exclusively from grapes of the same name. Contains 13% alcohol.

The dry white wine “Sary Pandas” has a golden, transparent color, slightly with a greenish tint.

Aroma and taste

The smell of Sary Pandas white wine is pleasant, fresh, with no shades of rotting fruit. The first smell is thin, weak. The second aroma is stronger, shades of citrus, spices and herbs appear, floral notes slip.

The autochthonous wine of Crimea Zakharyin “Sary Pandas” has a taste that perfectly matches the aroma of the wine, it feels like dried apricots and cherry plum. The acidity is light, the finish is warm, tender.

Tasting characteristic "Kokur"

Trading house Valery Zakharyin produces 3 types of white wine "Kokura":

• semi-dry;
• brut;
• semisweet.

All types of Kokura contain 11.5% alcohol and vary in the amount of sugar from 15 to 48 g / l. They are made exclusively from local grapes of the Kokur variety.

In white wines, the taste of ripe fruits is clearly felt - apples, pears. The acidity is restrained even at Kokur Brut, the aroma is elegant and fruity.

A fascinating journey into the world of winemaking

Try autochthonous wine, visit the vineyards and production - such an opportunity is for those who come to the Crimea. The tour includes:

• A visit to the ancient city of Kachi-Kalon, where you can see the ancient wine makers (scratched) and hear the story of the origin of winemaking on the peninsula.
• Visit to the Bakkal-Su terroir, where an indigenous variety of the same name grows. The guide will tell you about the vine care rules and production details.
• Carrying out tasting of autochthonous and premium wines.